Newcastle Proposed Player Exchange Deal Extremely Difficult

The Mail is reporting that Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez wants to bring James McCarthy from Everton to St. James’ park and he is willing to swap Moussa Sissoko for the 39 times capped Irish International with Newcastle also receiving some money from the Toffees in the deal.

Every time we’ve seen a photo of Moussa at Newcastle since he returned this summer, he’s looked glum so he’s making it known he doesn’t want to stay at a second division club this season – not a player as good as he (thinks he) is.

Moussa would also like to stay in the Premier League if possible and play for a Champions League club, but Everton have not be in the Champions League for some time now – so if he does move to the Toffees he will not get Champions League football.

Moussa Sissoko and James McCarthy

The Mail is reporting Rafa is a big fan of James McCarthy and certainly the Glaswegian is a very good technical player and would be a terrific acquisition for Newcastle – if we can persuade him to drop down a division to the Championship.

If Rafa can persuade James to join Newcastle then there is the question of how much Everton rate James and it’s likely to be a high fee.

We think it may be difficult to get the £35M value Newcastle have placed on Sissoko via a player exchange deal, but we suppose if Rafa wants James McCarthy at Newcastle enough, he could be willing to do a deal.

Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Watford, West Brom and Glasgow Celtic are said to be keen on Moussa, but we cannot think any of those clubs would be attractive to Moussa.

With only one week left in the transfer window something should be breaking soon in the Moussa Sissoko saga – and we cannot say we would be heartbroken if he leaves Newcastle.

Didn’t Moussa say that Everton was one of his dream clubs last summer?

Sissoko runs the risk of ending up left at Newcastle as he has named his ‘dream teams’ but none of them think he is half as good as he thinks he is hence the lack of firm bids. I wonder what happens if he’s left here, does he then realise he has to honour his contract and earn his wages?

Atsu at the end of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations when he played for Ghana – was awarded with both the Player of the Tournament award , as well as the Goal of the Tournament award for his strike against Guinea.[

In honor of two dedicated Newcastle fans, who lost their lives supporting Newcastle United.

Their passenger jet was shot down over Ukraine on Thursday July 17th, 2014 by rebels, as they were traveling to support the team in New Zealand.

We will never forget them.

Health Update - 4 Aug, 2016

The good news last week was that after more blood tests my PSA count is still undetectable

This means the prostate cancer is still under control, and there is no trace of it in the body.

Now to be even more vigilant so I can see the Rafa Benitez project come to its fruition over the next few years - wouldn't want to miss that.

Howay The Lads!!>

Ed Harrison

What Is A Football Club?

What is a club in any case?

Not the buildings or the directors or the people who are paid to represent it.

It’s not the television contracts, get-out clauses, marketing departments or executive boxes.

It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city.

It’s a small boy clambering up stadium steps for the very first time, gripping his father’s hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love.